pictures and babble...

This is Abby sitting so pretty, She has grown as you can tell and is somewhat well behaved. They have their playful side and can raise a whole lotta hell when they want to. They like to sit on the furniture which is a definite no. Paul and I always chase them off, but they think they are part human. At the last Vet appointment Abby was 47 pounds. What a moose. But she is solid muscle and doesn't have a lot of fat. This is Chelsea on the very same day. She was 44 pounds at the last vet appointment and has a very serious side. She is considered my dog as I am the one she comes to all the time. You wouldn't think that two dogs could be so different. Chelsea is the calm one. Abby is hyper and a jumper. Which drives me crazy. We are still trying to break that bad habit of hers.

Yesterday, we went for a ride just Paul, myself and the dogs; as the girls were with their grandmother overnight. Well the dogs were great until we hit Indian Lake. Chelsea started whining and wouldn't stop. When I turned and looked at her, She was drooling and was a shade of green. We were about 1/4 of a mile from the rest stop.There really wasn't any room to pull over. I kept looking at her and saying, "Hold on we are almost there". Well, she couldn't hold on and all of a sudden she vomited between Abby's legs as, Abby was laying down. It was gross. Abby had dog vomit all over her chest. Needless to say we got them cleaned up, walked and offered them water and decided it was time to turn around and head home. I got some great pictures, although the leaves are definitely past their peak. It seems like their really wasn't any reds, mostly yellow, deep orange and brown as you can see in the following pics. Enjoy.

Route 30 North, Just outside of Gloversville NY

Route 30 North just above Northville, NY.

Route 30 North, Right after Lewy Lake.

Indian Lake Rest Stop. Looking North East.

WOW

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I have posted. It has been a busy one. Work and the move and some major personal issues have gotten in the way of my peaceful and happy little home.

The dogs have matured alot in the past month. They can now get on the furniture :( and are housebroke, finally. The move to the new house really screwed them up. At the last vet visit Abby weighed 36 pounds and Chelsea weighed 32 pounds. Their personalities have remained pretty constant. Abby is still hyper and jumps when she gets excited, kinda hurts when her nails need a trim. Chelsea is mellow, she just wants her bone and a good belly rub. Both dogs come to us when they need to go out and put a paw on our legs and sit there patiently. Looking at whomever like, "Hey, I am here and it is that time again."

The cats have pretty much adjusted to the fact that the pups are here to stay. We still have the occasional hiss and swat of the paw, but other than that there has been no major confrontations. The pups are pretty good and we have been able to leave them alone for a short period of time. We have been working on "Stay" and "Come" outside. Some days I am pretty surprised at what they have accomplished, when it has been a bad day I feel that I am dealing with 2, two year old children. The "ME" Stage is upon us.

The kids had started school 3 weeks ago and while it is going ok we have had some problems with the girls leaving the pups in the morning. As the pups cry for a few minutes. Then turn around and start playfighting with each other to get attention. They generally calm down about 2 hours later and take a nap.

The crap in my personal life is about to get more intense so I am not sure if I am going to be posting alot, but I will try. I have to download pics off my camera of the pups and I will post some later on.

Sleeping Beauties

This is a rare occasion lately. The pups have definitely moved on to the toddler stage. They are very playful with each other, sometimes we have to seperate them as they get a bit rough. They have grown a lot in the past few weeks. We had a setback in the housebreaking, but are trying to rectify the situation by getting them out every hour or so when they are awake.
They have gotten bigger.They seem to be growing like weeds. Abby can now get up on the couch by herself. We are trying to break that new habit as quick as possible.
We are getting ready to move this week. The pups seem a bit confused with all the packing. I am confused with all the packing. But it will be over soon. Well off to pack...

What a week...

Well, this week, I have to say has been absolute hell. It started off on a good note, The pups went to the vet and have doubled their size. Had a good check-up and came back negative for worms.

After a major family emergency and sitting in hopital waiting rooms; it was good to come home to see my two chocolate monsters, wagging their tails, happy to see me. They are very active now. It is a good thing we have the area for them to run around and play. The pups have really grown these past weeks. Housebreaking was successful. Even with all the stress we are doing well. They are very playful.

Abby and Chelsea have switched roles, Abby is a bully. Chelsea is docile. Abby puts her nose where it shouldn't be and has gotten slapped by one of the cats. Abby comes back for more. She is jumping like crazy, which we are trying to stop. Chelsea is not a jumper and will sit and wait patiently for her food. Abby will jump all over the place. They are certainly not hungry since they eat twice a day and have quite a few treats in between. Abby is also the ringleader and will get Chelsea to follow her everywhere. I expect a couple more personality changes in the future.

I'm Tired...

Abby getting ready to take a nap.

Early Picture

This picture is 3 weeks old. This was when we first brought them home. This is Chelsea.

Another picture

Sitting on the steps waiting for dad. Duck and Goose squeaking toys are fun to chew on.

Just a pic...

Resting in the air conditioned air after playing.

Friday morning

Well, Abby is housebroke. She goes to the door and whines or just pushes her way out the screen door. Chelsea still needs coaxing. Both Pups can navigate the stairs up and down. Its a good thing, cause they are just to big to be carrying up and down stairs. With the heat this week, 105 in the shade, the pups figured out that the master bedroom stays cooler than the rest of the house. Thanks to an air conditoner. So now the pups have been sleeping in my room.
I am in touch with a person who breeds and shows Chocolate Labs. I have to meet her. I am also hoping to get involved with a local all breed club. I am glad someone told me about it, because I didn't know there was one around. Hopefully I will be talking to the secretary this week sometime. Maybe things will improve in the showing outlook once I get involved with the club. Well, pictures to follow later I am just too lazy today to take them off the camera and load them on here. Just another rainy morning, maybe I will join the dogs in their naps.

Friday July 28, 2 whole weeks...

Today was the day that all the animals in the house got a bath. This was the pups second bath, first one was last week. The pups have certainly gotten bigger. Last week they fit in the kitchen sink. This week, It was a struggle. Abby was pretty stressed out with the whole situation. I really don't understand why, this is the pup that stands in the water dish and splashes water everywhere. Bath #1 wasn't bad either. So Maybe it is part of her personality. Chelsea on the other hand, stood there like a statue. When she got down from being dried on the counter she ran over to her sister and shook all over her as if to say "ha, you big sissy".

The house breaking is going great. Shedule, Schedule, Schedule!!!! Almost there, the pups go to the door and whine. They also have nosed their way out a couple times to go. It is getting easier to recognize when they truly have to go.

We finally got their papers back. I was getting worried that the names were not going to be accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Trying to find out how to start a regional club with AKC as there is not a local Lab club. I figure that there are many Lab owners in my area with Purebreds and there is not really the option of showing our dogs without a local club.

I feel that Chelsea is going to be my show dog. She posts well. Post is the stance when the judges look over the dog. She will let you look in her mouth, move her ears around and check her out. Abby needs a little help in that department. Abby is my baby, she will lay in your arms and cuddle like a baby. She is getting a bit lazy and sometimes I wonder if she is not a bit fat, She LOVES her food. We have been adding fish oil to their diet as they have dry skin. Typical with Labs. Their fur is soft and shiny. well I am off for the evening, going to spend some quality time with the dogs as my cats are very mad for having been degraded by taking a bath.

10 Days with Puppies...

Today is day 10. The pups are doing excellent. We are just about housebroke. We have them on a schedule. When we get up in the morning (at some ungodly hour) the pups go out. We bring them back in and feed them. Wait about 30 minutes and out we go again. After a bit of playing around, the pups settle down and sleep for about 3 hours. The pups wake up and out they go to pee again. They come in, get drinks and play for about 3 hours. Then we go out again. They come in and go to sleep for another 3-4 hours. At about 4 pm we get dinner after of course we have gone out. Then we go out again. then they play and get one on one in some obedience. Sit, stay, come, down, and a basic retrieve. We are doing well. Then they come in and settle for about 2 hours. We wake them and make them go out at about 9:30, and they go out again at 10:45. Then we all settle for the night and start the whole process again.

Chelsea is still the leader and seems to be part disciplinarian. Abby is submissive and is easier to housebreak. Abby will push her nose out the screen door to go out. Well, I have things to do and pups to housebreak.

Let sleeping dogs sleep...

That is a must. Friday Night was a bit rough, as the pups were adjusting to the house and adjusting to being housebroke. New pups are just like having newborn babies. Got to feed them, clean them, get them out, and lots of playtime. Friday was a night of little sleep and lots of praise. Saturday night was a bit easier as the pups were tired from playing all day. So we actually got to sleep for 6 hours straight. Sunday night was great only 2 small puddles and no chewing.

The pups already know there names and are really quite smart. Both can sit and both can retireve 75% of the time. Abby can shake with both paws. Their personalities are really coming through now. They both are willing to please and very happy to see us in the morning. Chelsea seems to be the dominant female and also the troublemaker. She is seen in the red collar in the above picture. Abby is the follower and also the lover. She will lay at my feet and give lots of kisses.

We are amazed at how well they have us trained, whoops I mean how well we have the dogs trained. Not having a lot of accidents as we have the pups out right after they wake up, 10-20 minutes after they get a drink or eat, right after they play, and they also go out about 40 mins after they eat.

The pups love water. When I put the water bowl down for the first time, the pups decided that they were going to spash and play in it. Getting ready for first bath today. It ought to be very interesting. I figure it will be a very wet afternoon, which is okay because it is supposed to be 91 degrees today.

The kids seem to be happy with the dogs, especially since all the toys are safe. Ashley is even helping to train the dogs. She can get both the pups to sit. Hunter hasn't really been home enough to see the pups as she has been at camp and is with her father for the next few days.

Well it is time to go out again.

Today is the Day

We pick up Chelsea & Abby from the breeder today. We are doing pick up at the vets. Which is good because we are sticking with the same vet. I am so excited. We have everything we need. We found the cutest toys for them. A stuffed goose that honks and a stuffed duck that quacks. It ought to be an interesting day. The excitement has been building in the house for the last week. Ashley has been asking about the puppies coming home for the last 4 days. Well, more later with pictures. I am too excited to type.

Puppy Update...

Abigail and Chelsea are 7 weeks old today. Talked with the breeder last night. According to him, Chelsea is a little bully and a barker, but also protective of Abigail. Abigail is the mellow, laid back pup. Both dogs seem to know they are going to the same place and have become inseparable. We are picking them up at the vets next Friday, 11 am. The breeder is taking care of this round of shots and I am taking care of starting them on heartworm preventative. My children have not meet the pups, yet. My oldest child is going to be away at camp when we pick them up from the vet. My youngest child attends school during the summer as she has Autism. So, I get to bring home the pups and get them used to their home without two very excited kids around.

This morning as I was sitting on the porch, brushing out one of the cats, I realized that my cats are going to be very upset with me. It shouldn't be too bad as all of them were familiar with dogs. They may hide for a couple days but they will get over it. I will just have to feed the cats in the bedroom for a couple days.

We are almost prepared. We have their puppy food, Purina Beneful Puppy. We have their leashes and their collars are on them. I have purchased a new brush. I have to buy their treats and bed. We are buying one big bed for now. If we need to go to two beds we will. We are keeping the same vet. I have their food and water dishes.

I have begun puppy proofing the house. I have organized the kids rooms, so all the toys are protected. I usually go through the kids room 4 times a year; Late Spring, before back to school, before Christmas and about February. To organize, throw out or donate to the local clinic that helps out children, who have nothing. The girls try but don't succeed in keeping their rooms clean. I pick my battles and cleaning their rooms is not a battle I like to fight all the time. As long as the garbage is thrown away and the dirty laundry is picked up, they have to live in it. I can shut the door. Anyway, We have a new rule especially in the living room, "if its on the floor it is mine for a week". Yeah, a complete 180. I surprised myself. But with the pups on their way; I know they will be little terrors in a couple weeks; I don't want chewed up toys. I am certain I have paid Rubbermaid a small fortune for storage containers.

Well, that is all for now. The wait is almost over.

I am proud to introduce.....

Princess Chelsea and Princess Abigail!! Aren't they cute. They are 6 weeks old today. That means their birthday is on my birthday May 26...wow. We will not be bringing home the pups for two whole weeks. They already have their collars and name tags. I feel like a new mom again. I can't wait two more weeks, I want them now.

A little background first....

In the last week of April, my husband (Paul) and I had to euthanize our White Shepard who was 14 years old. We knew the day was coming but were doing everything to avoid it. Jenn was a great dog, always there with a wag of the tail and very willing to please. It was a very difficult morning. But she was calm and so were we. She passed peacefully and will always be an important part of our family.

We have two daughters a 10 year old (going on 20) and an 8 year old. We also have 3 cats, 2 purebred Himalayians and a stray shorthair. The youngest child was hit hard with the fact that the dog was never coming back home and has a picture of her in her room. My husband and I made the decision to get another dog. So I went searching. We looked at many dogs at humane societies and different breeders. We looked at giant dogs (St. Bernards, Great Danes), we looked at little dogs (my parents have dachshund). We really don't have the room for the giant breeds and the little dogs; while nice are just not my cup of tea. So we started looking at Labs. When we first started looking all I could find were hunting breeders who refused to sell a companion dog. I do understand but you made my job a whole lot harder. I couldn't find a breeder and basically gave up.

Fast forward about 2 months. Picked up the local newspaper and there was an ad. AKC registered Chocolate Lab Puppies. We made an appointment to see the pups within the next hour. We picked one female and her name is Princess Abigail, Abby for short.

That evening my husband decided he would buy one of her sisters. Another phone call and it was done. Back to the breeder's house and another female was chosen. Princess Chelsea is her name, or just Chelsea. We are looking forward to many great adventures with the pups.